Former Leeds United manager Steve Evans believes that both his former club and Newcastle United should seriously consider an approach for Middlesbrough striker Jordan Rhodes in January.

Evans, who was recently appointed manager of League Two outfit Mansfield Town, was sacked as Leeds manager at the end of last season and he has said he would be ‘gobsmacked’ if Rhodes isn’t on Championship clubs’ wishlists in the next transfer window.

Rhodes has been one of the most prolific goalscorers at Championship level for a number of seasons, scoring a total of 91 goals in 189 appearances but eventually achieved promotion at Middlesbrough last season.

However, after the arrival of Spanish international forward Alvaro Negredo in the summer Rhodes has seen his opportunities limited at the Riverside Stadium this term, starting just once and completing only 105 minutes of action.

The Scotland international was left out of the Boro squad that travelled to Leicester on Saturday and Evans believes Championship teams should be queuing up for his signature.

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Speaking to BBC Radio Leeds, Evans said: “I think (Leeds) need another player or two who are absolute top class across the middle four, and I think there is no doubt they need a goalscorer.

“There’s a boy Jordan Rhodes up at Middlesbrough who is not getting in, and I would be absolutely gobsmacked if he is not on the radar of every club in the Championship, probably Newcastle.”

Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka admitted that Rhodes has been left frustrated by a lack of first team action, and Rafa Benitez is almost certainly going to add to his Newcastle squad, as they strive for an immediate Premier League return.

However, with Championship top scorer Dwight Gayle, in-form Aleksandar Mitrovic and Daryl Murphy already within United’s striking ranks, it would be difficult to see any move for Rhodes as viable.